What’s in a journalism degree? Well, for ‘Citizen Journalists’ or CJs as they are more commonly known, nothing! Sans the academic degree and any other form of journalistic experience, they take it upon themselves to bring about change. IBNlive held its second annual ‘Citizen Journalism’ awards recently and the nominees were outstanding.

Brijesh Kumar

Brijesh is a resident of the ‘Sangam Vihar’ slum colony in the Capital; a colony facing terrible water shortages. The ‘water mafia’ (the water tanker distributors who commit various atrocities to achieve an income of more than Rs.1 crore per day) makes it almost impossible for the locals to get access to water. Borewells were constructed in the colony by raising money from the locals, but these same borewells are now in the control of the mafia who charge exorbitant rates for the water while making it available only every 10-15 days. Repeated complaints and pleas to the local authorities received no reaction. Not giving up, Brijesh went one step further, documenting evidence in the form of photographs and video footage to bring to light the corrupt officials in the Water Supply Department who were hand in hand with the water mafia. Brijesh persisted even in the face of significant challenges - life threats and physical injury (one such incident, captured on camera, led to the arrest of Jeevan Singh, a member of the water mafia). Brijesh has now brought his case to the Public Grievance Commission of Delhi and it is being regarded very seriously. An article in The Hindu documents the fact that the Delhi Water Board seems to be moving in the right direction.

Sanjeev Sharma

Sanjeev Sharma, a disabled teacher in a Delhi school is striving to achieve minimum sanitation facilities in his school. Sanitation in this school is visibly deplorable. Having discovered dead pigs in the school compound, Sanjeev told the principal about it but no action was taken. The principal was apathetic to the situation, and instead rebuked Sanjeev telling him “to mind his own business”. Sanjeev experienced a similar reaction from the school inspector. Soon, children started falling ill and Sanjeev stepped up his efforts. He began videotaping the sanitary situation in the school. He took this footage to the school director but again received no response other than being asked if he wanted a suspension. The principal of the school has made it difficult for Sanjeev to even enter the school building, by making it inaccessible to wheel chair dependent individuals. Sanjeev, however, continues his efforts.

Raziya Sultan

All of 13 years, Razia was the changing force for children in her village of Nanglakhumba, on the outskirts of Meerut, UP. There are a considerable number of child labourers in this village, Razia being one of them. Going against the norm, Razia decided that education was what would take her – and other children in the village - forward. Razia set up a Bal Panchayat; an organization that deals with children’s issues, to educate parents and children alike on the importance of schooling. She also approached the Deputy Labour Commissioner in the area to aid her in this process. Following these efforts, children in the village started going to school, and working only in their spare time. It did not end there. Noticing that their schools were not in good functioning order (no class rooms, poor sanitation, etc.), these children took it upon themselves to fight for the improvement of the condition of these schools (resulting among other things in separate toilets for girls). Being self aware and generating awareness amongst others is a form of citizen journalism and can bring about welcome changes like in Nanglakhumba, which is now a child-friendly village.

Citizen Journalism is about you and me taking an active interest in our society. It empowers individuals to speak out against injustice in any form, and enables one to reach a wide audience.

All videos for CJ awards can be viewed here.